Introduction to Soil Carbon Stocks and CPDs Soil’s capacity to remove atmospheric CO2 and increase...
Annie Leeson, CEO of Agricarbon, was recently invited as a guest on the Savill’s Rural Insights podcast. Hosted by Nikki Whiteman and Alex Godfrey, the podcast serves as a platform for Savill’s—a global leader in real estate services—to showcase its commitment to natural capital solutions. Through initiatives ranging from carbon offsetting to biodiversity net gain assessments, Savills supports a diverse array of stakeholders to manage their natural assets responsibly and sustainably.
This episode reveals the vital role that soil plays in climate change mitigation. Let’s unravel Annie’s journey and discoveries, as she offers us a lens into the future of soil carbon and regenerative agriculture.
Further Sources: Podcast available on all main platforms via Savills’ website.
Notes from the episode:
Annie Leeson’s Journey to Soil Carbon
Annie began her career focused on decarbonisation strategies for large cities and global corporations. However, her journey took a pivotal turn towards nature-based solutions, specifically soil carbon, when she noticed the limitations of mechanical carbon removal methods.
“For me, soil carbon and the potential to deploy soil carbon sequestration as a climate tool was the biggest opportunity that we had and it was not being delivered.”
The Science and Investment
The Measurement Quandary
Annie illuminated the challenges in reliably measuring soil carbon. Conventional methods are not only cumbersome but also expensive. The need for reliable yet cost-effective methods was apparent. This is where Agricarbon stepped in, employing robotics and automation.
Agricarbon’s Unique Proposition
“We massively stripped out cost by investing in automation to make direct measurement very affordable, very scalable.”
Agricarbon revolutionized soil carbon measurement by drastically reducing costs and improving reliability. With over 200,000 soil samples, Agricarbon has amassed the largest known database of soil carbon data, aiding their methods for accuracy.
Agricarbon’s Scale and Impact
Initiating with a pilot of 10 dairy farms in Scotland, Agricarbon has sampled thousands of fields across the UK and even expanded its reach into mainland Europe. The company is also planning to commence projects in North America and Latin America.
“In the course of the last 12 months, the demand for soil carbon testing has accelerated beyond imagination.”
How Agricarbon Engages with Farmers
Farmers looking to transition to regenerative agriculture benefit from Agricarbon’s soil carbon audit. Agricarbon provides them with a baseline, which is the first step toward tracking improvements in soil health.
Types of Clients
- Direct Farmers and Landowners: Understanding their soil carbon stocks.
- Project Developers: Organisations specializing in aiding farmers through the transition.
- Food Companies: Aiming to make their supply chain as low carbon as possible.
The Techniques for Improving Soil Health
Farmers are adopting several techniques, often mimicking natural systems, to improve soil health. These include:
- Minimum Soil Disturbance
- Cover Crops
- Animal Integration
- Avoiding Artificial Fertilizers and Pesticides
- Biodiversity
“The more we can mix those up together, the better. Nature enjoys complexity.”
The Underappreciated World of Microorganisms
Annie also emphasized the importance of the soil’s micro-ecosystem, stating that the diversity and role of microorganisms in soil are often underestimated yet crucial for soil health.
“The biodiversity starts with the very small, and the amount of variety that we need to maintain a healthy system beneath our feet is enormous.”
Concluding Thoughts: The Future of Soil Carbon
As we continue to face the daunting challenges of climate change, initiatives like Agricarbon and advocates like Annie Leeson become ever more critical. Soil carbon isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a lifeline for our planet. With Agricarbon’s scalable solutions and Annie Leeson’s vision, the future of soil carbon looks promising.
For further insights, don’t forget to tune in to the Savill’s Rural Insights podcast.
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